Cherokee County Health Data

Cherokee County, Oklahoma

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

16/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

73.0 yr

Uninsured Rate

17.1%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

73.0 yr

State avg 72.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

17.1%

State avg 15.3%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

74

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

492

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

25.4%

State avg 22.7%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

12.6

per 100K residentsCDC: 73.5 per 100K

Dentists

6.3

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

12.6

per 100K residents

Provider counts from CMS NPPES (National Provider Identifier Registry). Data current as of 2026.

Chronic Disease & Behavioral Health

These prevalence estimates come from the CDC PLACES program (Population-Level Analysis and Community Estimates), which combines BRFSS survey data with statistical modeling to produce county-level rates. Estimates are age-adjusted to enable fair comparisons across counties with different age distributions. Use them to spot where Cherokee County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureCherokeeState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity44.4%41.1%37.6%3.3 pts worse than state
Diabetes13.1%12.0%11.2%1.1 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure38.8%37.3%33.5%1.5 pts worse than state
Depression25.9%26.1%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureCherokeeState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking20.4%19.1%16.3%1.3 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking14.7%15.1%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity31.3%32.7%27.0%1.4 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureCherokeeState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup77.6%76.3%74.9%1.3 pts better than state
Dental Visit (past year)51.5%53.4%57.3%1.9 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)62.9%66.9%73.3%4.0 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureCherokeeState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress20.2%19.4%18.6%0.8 pts worse than state
Short Sleep Duration42.3%38.6%37.3%3.7 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Cherokee County nationally on mammography (women 50–74).

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Adult Health Reports in Cherokee County Differ from National Norms

Health data brief for Cherokee County, Oklahoma.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Poor/fair health rate

In Cherokee County, 25.4% of adults report being in poor or fair health. This is notably higher than the national average of 17% for this metric. The county’s life expectancy is 73.0 years, which is similar to the Oklahoma state average of 72.7 years but shorter than the national average of 77 years. There are 492 mental health providers for every 100,000 residents, a figure that is higher than the national median of 250. The primary care provider ratio is 74 per 100,000 residents, which is roughly equal to the national median of 70. The uninsured rate in the county is 17.1%, which is higher than the state average of 15.3% and the national average of 10%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Cherokee County, Oklahoma

Direct contact information for hospitals and community health resources serving this county. Hospital quality ratings come from CMS Care Compare — the federal program that measures hospital performance on safety, patient experience, and outcomes.

Cherokee Nation W W Hastings Indian Hospital

ER
3/5
(918) 458-3100
100 S Bliss Avenue, Tahlequah, OK 74464
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Other

Northeastern Health System

ER
2/5
(918) 456-0641
1400 East Downing Street, Tahlequah, OK 74465
Acute Care HospitalsGovernment - Hospital District or Authority

Sources: Hospital data: CMS Care Compare. Quality ratings: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Community health center directory: HRSA. Last reviewed 2026-05-14.

Information is for general guidance only and is not medical advice. Always call ahead to confirm services, hours, and insurance accepted. In a medical emergency, dial 911.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Cherokee County, OK?
Cherokee County has a health score of 16/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #50 out of 77 counties in Oklahoma (1 = healthiest). The score is based on CDC County Health Rankings data, combining life expectancy, uninsured rates, provider access, and behavioral health indicators.
What is the life expectancy in Cherokee County?
Life expectancy in Cherokee County is 73.0 years. The Oklahoma state average is 72.7 years, making Cherokee County above the state average.
How does Cherokee County health compare to the Oklahoma average?
Cherokee County's health score of 16/100 is below the Oklahoma average of 24/100. Life expectancy is 73.0 years vs. the state average of 72.7 years. The uninsured rate is 17.1% vs. 15.3% statewide.
What health factors affect Cherokee County?
Key health factors for Cherokee County include: life expectancy (73.0 years), uninsured rate (17.1%), and primary care physician access (74:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 492:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Cherokee County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 16/100 ("Below Average"), Cherokee County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Oklahoma. Residents have a life expectancy of 73.0 years. 17.1% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
What are the biggest health challenges in Cherokee County?
Cherokee County's health score of 16/100 is below the Oklahoma average of 24/100. The uninsured rate of 17.1% means a significant portion of residents may face barriers to healthcare. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

Counties with Similar Health Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.